Quaternary ammonium caprylyl glycol disinfectant wipes

Abstract

A disinfectant wipe and disinfectant composition which exhibits exceptional antimicrobial activities as a result of the synergistic combination of a quaternary ammonium salts and 1,2-alkandiol is provided. The wipe is pre-impregnated with a disinfectant composition which comprises a quaternary ammonium salt, a 1,2-alkanediol with 5-10 carbon atoms, a glycol ether, a surfactant, a pH regulating agent, and water, and optionally alcohol. A method of preparation and a process for disinfecting a surface with the wipe composition are also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to disinfecting wipe products and compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, wipes pre-impregnated with the antimicrobial composition, methods of preparation, and processes for disinfecting surfaces with the compositions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Quaternary ammonium salts are broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds commonly used in hard surface disinfectant products. They are typically available in commercial cleaning formulations with at least one surfactant and at least one organic solvent.[0003]A particularly rigorous application of hard surface cleaning compositions is the class of hospital disinfectant products. Such products must be registered with the United States Environmental Protection Administration. Registration with the EPA requires submission of data establishing the disinfecting efficacy of the product. For example, DIS / TSS-1 Jan. 22, 1982 spec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is a further object of the invention to provide a disinfecting product which may be registered with the EPA as a tuberculocide thereby having efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

[0019]The combination of a 1,2-alkanediol with a quaternary ammonium salt composition provided by the present invention provides a uniquely effective hard surface disinfectant. While 1,2-alkanediols have been used as an emollient or another element of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, they have not been used in hard surface disinfectant products due to their weak antimicrobial activity. The inventors have found, surprisingly, that 1,2-alkanediol, especially 1,2-octanediol, even at low concentrations, creates a synergistic effect when combined with the quaternary ammonium salt which greatly broadens and intensifies the antimicrobial activities of the composition. The resulting composition has been shown to meet EPA standards for hospital hard surface disinfectant products, including efficacy against tuberculosis-causing bacteria.

Problems solved by technology

While the composition is able to kill tuberculosis-causing bacteria, it requires a medium to high level of the glycol ether and a strong alkali compound to enhance the germicidal effect of the quaternary ammonium salt, and it has not been shown to have 100% efficacy in killing tuberculosis-causing bacteria.

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